The Sparrow

I can't decide on a star rating for this book. I loved and empathized with the main character, Emilio, from the beginning. Because of the book's structure of showing the aftermath of the mission in alternating chapters with the mission happening, I had some idea of what had occurred all along, as well as some good guesses; still, the plot twists surprised me, and I was riveted from about the halfway point to the end. Best of all, it's a really thought-provoking book that asks very good questions and doesn't provide answers. So, I enjoyed it immensely and I'll probably read the sequel soon. I can also understand why it's such an acclaimed book. However, I always interpret other people's 5-star ratings as enthusiastic approval, and I don't really feel that way. I'll just leave the rating blank.

A lot about this book reminded me of the pop-anthropology talk that crops up on the internet sometimes: that women and men have immutable characteristics which define their personalities, and that happy hetero marriages are the best way for humans to live, because of biological truths. Additionally, biological truths completely define the aliens' behavior; the frustrated desire for reproduction is the two main villains' (if you can call them villains) motivation, and biology in general is the ultimate reason for all the horrible things that happen.. I'm sure other people have phrased this much more clearly than I will, but I believe that sentience itself means that there will always be variation in how we live our lives and how we find happiness. The aliens, though, don't really vary from what biology says they should do or be.

In general I didn't like all the unrequited love between the humans, especially the feelings of the book's sole gay character, which seemed like a clear example of the old-fashioned “gay = miserable” trope. But I also wonder if those subplots were meant to point to the central relationship in the book: Emilio's relationship with God. Is Emilio's love for God unrequited? As an atheist I don't feel qualified to answer the question, but I'm pretty sure the book is asking it.

It's quite a heavy book and I'm glad I read it. I wish I could read it as part of a book club or class, because it would definitely inspire some interesting discussions. I listened to the audiobook and I don't recommend it; the narrator was too fast for me. I kept wishing I had the text in front of me, but it's expensive, especially considering it's over 20 years old.